Press Release
Sutter Regional Medical Foundation
Solano Regional Medical Group Honored in Statewide Survey for "Excellent" After-Hours Care - June 25,2008
Fairfield medical group offers options for weeknight medical care
FAIRFIELD - Solano Regional Medical Group (SRMG), the multispecialty medical group affiliated with Sutter Regional Medical Foundation (SRMF), recently achieved an "Excellent Performance" on the statewide 2007 After-Hours Access Survey.
SRMG operates its after-hours clinic at 2702 Low Court in Fairfield. In addition to this clinic, SRMF provides quality after-hours care at its walk-in clinic at 770 Mason St. in Vacaville.
Administered by the California Cooperative Healthcare Reporting Initiative (CCHRI), the after-hours telephone survey assessed whether medical office recordings and answering services offer appropriate information to after-hours callers experiencing a medical emergency or urgent care need.
Presented by Health Net of California, the award states that "excellent performance status is gained by achieving the benchmark of 90 percent or more in both required measures." Solano Regional Medical Group measured at 91 percent satisfaction whereas the statewide average came in as 89 percent. Other Sutter Health-affiliated medical groups scored higher than the statewide average.
"We"re proud to be recognized for our first-rate service and flexible after-hours care," says Bryan Holcomb, M.D., medical director of the after-hours clinics. "We strive to offer the best and most convenient solution for last-minute medical problems at times when it is often difficult to find care."
While the clinics offer a convenient alternative to an emergency room visit, they also provide a valuable service to the community, says Dr. Holcomb, a family medicine physician with SRMG.
"Our after-hours clinics primarily provide care for patients with acute problems who aren"t able to see their regular doctor in a timely fashion," Dr. Holcomb says. "For health-related issues, such as bronchitis, asthma attacks, sprains, strains and broken bones, we can quickly respond to patients" requirements and, if appropriate, also schedule follow up care with their regular physicians or health care providers."
Most patients are seen in the order in which they enter the clinic, and everyone who walks in the door will be registered and seen. However, Dr. Holcomb explains that the registered nurse on duty also performs an immediate assessment-or triage-on every patient, and anyone who comes in with a serious condition is seen right away.
Each clinic has licensed coverage, with a physician and registered nurse available during all clinical hours. In addition, the staff has access to the entire network of SRMF primary care providers and specialists.
Hours for the Fairfield After-Hours Clinic are Monday through Friday from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. To reach the Fairfield clinic call 707-427-4900.
Hours for the Vacaville After-Hours Clinic are Monday through Friday from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. and weekends and holidays from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. To reach the Vacaville clinic call 707-454-5800.